21 January 2012

Sepia Saturday 109: Go to Sleep my Little Dolly

"Bye-Lo-Baby" Wee Babies (1882)

"Bye-Lo-Baby" is from Wee Babies, a book belonging to Mira Rockwell (Main) Stratton (1881-1926). Published in 1882, the Bye-Lo-Baby dolls in the poem are not the ones made famous by Grace Storey Putnam in the 1920s. Putnam's 'babies' resembled a three-day-old newborn -- a departure from the more mature dolls depicted in Wee Babies.

Mira's dolls would have been like those in the illustrations, young children with faces of porcelain or bisque. Beautiful as the dolls may have been, they cannot compare to Mira's own joyous children pictured below. I can't help but wonder what prank was afoot ....

"Mira Main Stockbridge Mass," is inscribed on the first page of Wee Babiesin
an immature cursive scrawl. Mira's mother died when Mira was young. Mira's father, unable to care for his girls, made
arrangements for them to attend a convent school. When Mira became ill, she recuperated with her aunt and namesake, Mira Rockwell, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Mira's father, Isaac
Main (ca 1836-1891), strove to bring the family together, moving closer to Stockbridge and applying for a Civil War service pension; he died before receiving it. Auntie Mira Rockwell filled the void, caring for Mira Main as if she were her own. Mira (Main)
Stratton refers to 'Auntie' frequently and affectionately in her
diary. I like to think of the two Miras sharing bedtime verses from Wee Babies.

Blanchard, Amy E., poetry, and Ida Waugh, illustrations. Wee Babies: Printed in Colours from Original Designs. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co.; London: Griffith and Farran, 1882. This book was a gift from Charles W. Stratton III and Marita (Dick) Stratton in 1990. The book was part of the family's collection of books.

Civil War and Later Pension Files. Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. Mira Main, minor's application no. 8541, for service of Isaac G. W. Main. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Stratton, Mira Rockwell (Main), Charles W. Stratton III and Virginia Stratton. Reprint of a photograph by J. Will Hawes. ca 1920. Privately held by Liz Stratton, [ADDRESS FOR
PERSONAL
USE,] Cincinnati, Ohio. 2012. The photographer was identified by comparing the reprint to original photographs that include Charles W. Stratton III and Virginia Stratton wearing the same clothing in front of the same background.

21 comments:

Liz,Your posts keep getting better and better! I love this one. I can't believe you were able to locate a book published in 1882 that complements the theme so well. I also love the photo you used (but I'm wondering about the one you didn't use).

The pictures in the book and the photo are both cute. I was amused by the line in the verse that threatened the doll with being put on the floor if she didn't behave. As I was reading the poem, I couldn't see the picture, and in my mind I saw the doll in a bed which made the floor sound like a more extreme punishment.

I really enjoyed this post. The photo is so classical. I too can just imagine the adults behind the scene prompting the kiddos. I love the photos where the little legs and the shoes show up so well.QMM

I often wonder if Mira's expression is a relaxed one or an exasperated one. ;) Fun pranks and hi jinks are a the norm. "Skeleton in the Attic" tells of just one such prank. Must admit to loving every minute of it all.

I was smitten by the poem and the page and recalled seeing copies of the Wee Books somewhere on my life travels; I was glad that you added information about Mira too...and those two little dolls do look like they are about something soon!

This is a wonderful story, you obviously put a lot of love and research into it. Those children look like sweet little imps! The girl is beautiful and look at those long curls! Thanks for sharing this story.